Wealth Building Part 1

Wealth Building Part I
Over the next few weeks I will be reviewing and highlighting several points from the book The Millionaire Next Door: Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy. As followers of the book know, true monetary wealth is determined not by the size of your paycheck, but by the amount of your paycheck you are able save. On that note, I thought I might give a quick refresher on the basics of building wealth. Here are a few pointers to get you started or refreshed on the fundamentals of reaching your savings goals.

1. Eliminate debt. The first step to saving is, of course, having enough expendable income to invest. What is the best way to free up more of your income? Pay off your debt. Simply calculating the monthly amount you spend on debt repayment will illustrate that eliminating debt is the fastest way to free up money. The only saving that should take precedence over debt repayment, is setting aside an emergency fund of 2-6 month’s salary. Once this is done, pay off your debt and re-purpose the money to savings. Let interest work for you instead of against you.
2. Set savings goals. Short term goals can be as simple as setting aside cash for a new dishwasher. Achieving your short term goals helps keep you motivated to reach your long term goals, including saving for retirement. How much will you need to set aside for a retirement that could last 20 or even 30 years? Set your goals, seek financial advice if needed, make a plan and get started towards reaching those goals.
3. Make a plan. Figure out how much you will have to save per week, per month or per pay check to reach your goals. For most savings goals, it’s best to save the same amount per period. If you will need to purchase a $20,000. car in three years (hopefully after you have driven yours as long as long as you possibly can), you will need to set aside approximately $128. per week. It might involve cutting costs in other areas, but it beats making car payments for 5 years, and think of the interest you’ll save.
4. Track and trim your expenses. Go through your monthly budget and see what you can eliminate or cut back on. You may be able to live with a haircut every 6 weeks instead of 4, or get up just a bit earlier and eat breakfast before you leave for work instead of stopping off for coffee and a doughnut. Your wallet and your waistline will be the better for it.
5. Most importantly, stick with it. If you mess up, don’t beat yourself up. Vow to do better next paycheck. We all falter occasionally, but success comes to those who keep trying.

Most people would admit that saving for the long haul instead of feeling the instant gratification of buying the latest gadget is tough, but the rewards outshine any fleeting joy you may feel. True satisfaction comes with the security of knowing your future is set, and nothing beats that!
  
It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Vice President / Partner
American Mortgage
Cell - 386-846-6686
Office - 386-756-8228
Fax - 386-756-8108
Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

Problems

QUOTE>>> I am grateful for all of my problems. After each one was overcome, I became stronger and more able to meet those that were still to come. I grew in all my difficulties.
James Cash Penney
1875-1971, Founder of J.C. Penney Stores

Reading this quote made me think of an e-mail I received from a business partner of mine, so I am steeling it and forwarding the info to you.

Here is a link to an article about a guy who decided to take his problems to a new level. Rather than getting dejected, he got rejected, and it got him featured in Business Week and invited to be on a couple of talk shows. Click on this link or copy and paste and see this inspirational story about a guy who is turning rejection into something very positive and powerful.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/rejection-therapy-hundred-days-no-022822280.html

What is the craziest thing you ever asked for or the biggest problem you ever had that made you stronger and you prospered from?


It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Vice President / Partner
American Mortgage
Cell - 386-846-6686
Office - 386-756-8228
Fax - 386-756-8108
Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

Attitude is Key

Personal Growth Quote: Attitude is Key

"There’s one key factor that will make this New Year the best one ever. That important factor is your attitude.
The way you most consistently decide to see life will play a major role in the way your life actually unfolds. Right now, as the year begins, make the choice to make your life, and your whole world, the best it can be.
Create a new, improved year by going through it with a new, improved outlook on life. Make this a great year by choosing an attitude that reflects your own unique greatness.
In the year ahead you’ll encounter many obstacles, and yet there’s one powerful obstacle you don’t ever have to deal with again. That obstacle, the one you can get rid of for good, is your own negative attitude.
Just because things can often get difficult, doesn’t mean you have to be difficult. No matter what the situation, a positive, empowering attitude is always your best choice.
Stride confidently forward with the highest and best expectations you’ve ever had. Your life this year is what you make it, so embrace an attitude that will make it positive, fulfilling and great." Cleo Shivers


I hope you have a fantastic 2013, and that it is your best year ever.


It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Vice President / Partner
American Mortgage
Cell - 386-846-6686
Office - 386-756-8228
Fax - 386-756-8108
Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

HARP 2.0 - "Obama Loan" update

Good Morning,

     Back in December I wrote an e-mail post about current rates and “The Obama Loan”, more accurately Known as HARP 2.0.   HARP 2.0 has been back in the news a lot lately and I have received many inquiries regarding the program and how it works. 



     Back in November when the program was announced, the lending community did not know exactly how this program was going to unfold or what “overlays” to the guidelines they were going to place.   The one thing we did know is that whatever the guidelines on the new program were, they were not going to take effect until March 2012.  Fannie Mae published an update to its “Refi Plus” program which HARP 2.0 falls under, so I figured I would e-mail this information out because we are now getting very close to the launch of the HARP 2.0 program.



     Here is a link to the actual Fannie Mae announcement.  CLICK HERE  Then Click on the link for HARP 2.0 Guides in info,  or cut and paste this address to your browser.   http://americanmortgagenow.com/custompage-view.aspx?id=27

 

The Bullet Points – Here are the main points and things to know about this program to determine if you or someone you know may benefit from it. 

1^st – Your current loan must be a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Loan.   Here is a link to my website that has two Look up tools to determine if Fannie or Freddie owns your mortgage.  http://americanmortgagenow.com/resources.aspx

2^nd – You must be current on your Mortgage.  You cannot have had any late payments in the last 6 months and no more than 1 late in last 12 months. 

3^rd  - Loan to Value.  At this time we are not 100% sure what the loan to value restrictions are going to be on this program.  As you can see from the guidelines put out by Fannie Mae, they are removing the LTV limits from the prior HARP 1.0 of 125% to unlimited LTV.  Unfortunately, I doubt any lenders will truly offer unlimited LTV, I do however expect the maximum LTV requirements to go up significantly.  (You may have already seen lenders advertising that they are now doing the HARP 2.0 loan.  They are not, all they have done is increase their Max LTV to 125% to match the already in existence HARP 1.0 loan.  Many lenders previously were only offering LTV’s up to 105%) 

4^th  -  Removal of Bankruptcy & Foreclosure policy.  HARP 2.0 removes the required waiting periods and reestablished credit requirements to qualify for this program.  The only time you would have to credit qualify is if your payment is increasing as a result of the refinance.  This would occur if someone was going from an ARM, Interest only, or Negative Amort loan, etc. 



     I hope you find this information useful.  As we get closer to launch date and we receive more updated information I will be sure to pass it alone.  Please call me directly if you have any questions or would like to see if you will qualify for this program.  Greg Novak  386-846-6686.



Additionally here is a direct link to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) official website.  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/lower-rates/Pages/harp.aspx

 

It's a Good Life!!!

Greg Novak MBA

NMLS # 329079

Vice President / Partner

American Mortgage

Cell - 386-846-6686

Office - 386-756-8228

Fax - 386-756-8108

Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

 

Oh, by the way,  If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

 

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

 

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Do you Have It????

What is it? Most people would consider IT to be success. But Success is a relative term, it means different things to different people.

Good Morning,
This week I have decided to take a break from the market updates and mortgage info to discuss a personal growth topic. I will take a moment to define success and then discuss some key characteristics of the Successful Person.
It's a Good Life!!! Greg Novak, American Mortgage, 386-846-6686

IT = SUCCESS ???

First let's define success. Wikipedia defines success as the following: "Success might mean, but is not limited to: a level of social status, achievement of an object/goal, or the opposite of failure."

First of all, I personally disagree with success being defined as a level of social status, because in my opinion social status has nothing what so ever to do with success. Some of Hollywood's most social elite, might have a ton of money, but are far from what I would consider to be successful. Case in point the "WINNING" train wreck Charlie Sheen. He might have tiger blood, but success he has not.

The only one of those statements I can go along with is the achievement of an object or goal. Additionally, I don't believe that success is static, I believe that success is is constantly changing for each individual person. My definition of success was very different 10 years ago, from what it is today, and I am certain it will be different 10 years from now. Perhaps even 1 year from now.

THAT is how you can determine whether or not you are Successful, If your definition of success is constantly changing and advancing because you have reached what you used to believe was Success.

Success is Relative, so lets take a quick look at some different individuals views of success.

• To the new graduate success could mean getting a decent job in this economy.


• To the addict, success could be staying sober for a month, a year, a decade, etc.


• To the lonely person, success could be finding a friend and companion, or love.


• To the couple struggling with infertility, success could mean a healthy baby.


• To the rich billionaire, success might mean giving away his fortune.


• To a lot of people, success is constantly moving forward in a positive direction.

 

Here are some Characteristics of Successful people.

1. Highly Self Motivated- People who have achieved personal success are motivated by what that success means to them and it their drive to achieve.


2. Strong Ethics and Integrity- Although success means different things to different people, I believe that no matter who you are, you will never be truly successful unless you have a clear conscience. That is why acting with Ethics and Integrity in everything you do is so important.


3. Willingness to FAIL- Success is not always about winning. Success is about learning. Some of the best life lessons I have learned have come from Failed attempts at Success.


4. Have Goals and a Plan- People typically don't stumble upon success. You have to decide what you want (Make a Goal), then break down the steps of what you have to do to accomplish that goal. Have a roadmap for success.


5. Great Salesperson - Successful people have to be great salespeople not because they are selling things to other people, but because you have to constantly be selling yourself on the fact that YOU CAN. You can succeed.

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Vice President / Partner
American Mortgage
Cell - 386-846-6686
Office - 386-756-8228
Fax - 386-756-8108
Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

Perseverance

This morning I was speaking with someone who was complimenting me on my perseverance and how impressed he was that we have been able to do so well over the last few years with what the real estate and mortgage industries have gone through. I thought it would be nice to share some encouraging words and information with you as well. Below is a really great paragraph on perseverance along with a few video links to a short interview with someone on the 60 minutes TV program.

PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance is a month by month, week by week, day to day, and for some, even an hour by hour decision not to give up. Wikipedia defines Perserverance as a persistent determination; to adhere to a course of action; and persistence.

In the videos below, the interviewer asked the subject if he feels as if he has a disability. The subject of the interview states that "The definition of disability is something that is stopping you from being able to do something. In my life there is hardly anything that I have found that I can not do."

The individual who is the subject of the interview is Nick Vujicic. Nick was born with out arms and with out legs. Nick is an amazing individual and has preserved through some of the most difficult trials and lowest times that anyone could imagine. Nick is 28 years old and has a college degree, and has been extremely successful as an entrepreneur. Even though Nick may be what most consider as physically disabled, he is in no way a disabled person. To me Nick is the definition of Perseverance.

I highly encourage you to take a look at the video's below, and then ask yourself the following question. Even though, I am not physically or mentally disabled, or even if you are, Is there something that I have given into, that is holding me back, that I am using as an excuse, and that I am not persevering past?

If there is something that is holding you back from reaching your goals, making the money that you want to make, getting the job you want, or that promotion, etc., once you identify it, you can start to overcome and push past it.

Have a great weekend, enjoy the videos.

Nick Vujicic - 60 Min Interview - Part 1 -

Nick Vujicic - 60 Min Interview - Part 2 -

Nick Vujicic - Robert Schuller interview -

It's a Good Life!!!

Greg Novak MBA

NMLS# 329079

Vice President / Partner

American Mortgage

Cell - 386-846-6686

Office - 386-756-8228

Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

 

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

 

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

 

Great Day, ALL DAY

Do you ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Believe it or not, I don't always wake up the bright and shining, smiling face you see during the day. For my weekly Blog, I put together a list of 10 easy things you can do to Make today a Better Day. Take a look at the list below, and a couple links to some inspirational video's below that.
Don't forget, if you happen to know anyone who is talking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call. I will take good care of them for you. 386-846-6686. Greg Novak www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

10 Steps to have a Great Day, ALL DAY!!!

1. Wake up a few minutes earlier - Rather than waking up with just enough time to run out of the house 5 min late, set your alarm clock 15 min earlier, and take your time getting ready. This way you won't forget the deodorant.


2. Talk to yourself - The first thing you should say to yourself when you wake up is, "Today is going to be a great day". After you say this enough times you will start to believe it, and until you do, at least you will make yourself laugh.


3. Get inspired and Resolve to have a positive attitude - Purchase some motivational cd's or music. Instead of watching the negative morning news, play these CD's and get some inspiration and a positive attitude for the day. Click Here for the link to my Blog on Being Positive.


4. Eat a Healthy Breakfast - Fruits, Protein, and Whole grains will give you a good kick start and the energy you need to go until lunch. Then eat healthy the rest of the day. Treat yourself every once in a while, but those fried foods and burgers will weigh you down and make you sluggish putting the slow down on your express pass to a great day. Eat a health Breakfast Link


5. Think Before you Say and Do - It is hard to take back negative words and actions. It's hard to have a great day when you are feeling bad about something you said.


6. Practice Good Time Management - Have a plan for the day, stick to it. Don't be distracted by things that will not help you reach your daily goals like the social media's, TV, and websites that don't apply to your work.


7. Don't be so Serious - Part of having a great day includes having some fun. Make sure you schedule some time to enjoy yourself. Try to spend time with people who are fun and make you laugh. Laughter releases endorphins and neurotransmitters that have pain-relieving properties, and make you feel good. You can help but laugh at this video.


8. Make someone's Day - Complimenting someone else, being kind, and courteous to others will help them have a good day. When you make someone else feel good about them self, you will make yourself feel good about you.


9. Avoid the negative people - You know the ones in the office that are ALWAYS complaining about something. Stay away, don't get sucked into their negativity. It's like a negative person has super powers when it comes to destroying the foundation of your great day.


10. Prepare for tomorrow and Go to Bed Early - As an old Boy Scout, the motto Be Prepared has always stuck with me. One of the best peices of advice I can give you about having a good day tomorrow, is to plan and prepare tonight for tomorrow. Make lunches for the kids tonight, lay out and Iron your clothes tonight, pack up your brief case tonight. When you do these things at night instead of the morning, then you dont have to worry as much when you can't accomplish #1 on this list.

Here are a couple of video's to check out.
What to Say when you talk to yourself
Why you should eat breakfast
How to be more productive

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Vice President / Partner
American Mortgage
Cell - 386-846-6686
Office - 386-756-8228
Fax - 386-756-8108
Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

Press Release

    American Mortgage Loan Services, LLC., an Altamonte Springs, FL base mortgage broker is expanding into Volusia County.  In a time when most banks and lenders are downsizing or closing, American Mortgage as a broker is doing very well and expanding.  Local loan officer, and former branch manager for Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company, has Joined American Mortgage as Vice President and Partner, to develop and cultivate the Volusia County Market.  Novak has been in the mortgage business for 10 years, has a Bachelors Degree in Finance and Marketing, and a Masters Degree in Business. 

    I am very excited about the opportunity to develop a presence and a Brand for American Mortgage in this area and we are currently hiring experienced, professional Loan Officers.

    With the major changes to the mortgage industry that are set to take effect April 1^st, I believe that the Mortgage Broker is going to have a huge advantage over a Bank or Lender.  Consumers are going to have more options and ultimately will obtain a better deal and loan that fits their needs from us.

Contact Greg Novak anytime to apply for a Mortgage, or Employment if you are approved with the NMLS. 

386-846-6686  Visit us on the web at www.AmericanMortgageNow.Com

 

 

It's a Good Life!!!

Greg Novak MBA

NMLS # 329079

Vice President / Partner

American Mortgage

Cell - 386-846-6686

Office - 386-756-8228

Fax - 386-756-8108

Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

 

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

 

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

Be Positive Today

Good Morning,

My last few blogs have been all about business, so today I decided to pass along a little personal growth info.
I don’t know about you, but it seems to be getting more and more difficult to keep a positive attitude with all of the negative news and the struggling economy.
So, I decided to send you some good news. Below are several links to some positive stories that hit the news papers. (yes, believe it or not, I was actually able to find some) Also, below are a few tips to help you keep control and maintain a positive outlook.
As always, please keep me in mind for any one you know who needs to buy or refinance a home. Greg Novak (386) 846-6686 www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

Stay Positive Today

Step 1- Avoid watching the news in the morning. If you want to know that weather, just check weather.com, if you want to check the traffic you can do that online also.

Step 2- Write some positive affirmations and tape them to your bathroom mirror so the first thing you see in the morning will help you get started on the right foot. (For instance: Today is going to be a great day. Or, I am having my best year ever, and things that are specific to you, etc.)

Step 3- Sleep!!! Make sure you get enough sleep. Let’s face it, your grumpy when you are tired.

Step 4- Eat Healthier. Make a decision to eat healthier foods. This one has been a struggle for me, but I do my best. And, I feel a lot better about myself when I eat a turkey sandwich and an apple, than when I have a Big Mac and Fries for lunch.

Step 5- Avoid the negative people. You know the ones in the office that are ALWAYS complaining about something. Stay away, don't get sucked into their negativity.

Step 6- Lastly, remember there is a difference between successful people and unsuccessful people, and across the board successful people look at change and adversity as OPPORTUNITY. Unsuccessful people assume all change and adversity will be negative. Whether the change or adversity is negative or positive you must believe that in the long run you will benefit and learn something. It is an opportunity!


Here are some links to some recent news that you may have missed because it was buried underneath the “stuff that sells” the paper.


The Happiest Carreers in America

Making Money & Doing Good

Homeless man finds $1,400 and returns it to the owner.

Teacher for America = $100,000,000

Marriage on the run


It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Assistant Vice President
American Mortgage
Cell - 386-846-6686
Office - 386-756-8228
Fax - 386-756-8108
Website - www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

FLORIDA-American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

Realtors, Don't Miss Out!!!

Have you ever walked away from a home with a buyer because it needed repairs?
Do you have a listing that needs Repairs?

Regardless of how you answered those two questions, you need to be familiar with the FHA 203k Renovation Mortgage.
In today's real estate environment, this mortgage can be a valuable tool.

Below is some basic information about the program and a couple of links to a video blog that give more detailed information as to why having information and educating yourself about this mortgage can benefit you and the clients you work with.

We are experts in closing this loan, and have worked with many 203K borrowers. This loan is not difficult if you know what you are doing, and we know what we are doing.

Don't be afraid to show a client a good home that needs a little repair, or one that the listing agent says in the MLS it won't pass FHA. This loan will help that buyer purchase and fix up those homes. Not only is this loan good for your buyers, but it is good for our real estate market in general. With this loan we can get more homes off the market that are hurting our overall values.

If you have a home listed that needs repairs, call me and I can give you 203k fliers to place in the listing so buyers and their realtors who are not aware of this mortgage wont walk away because they don't have the money to fix it up out of pocket even though they like the house.

203k Info Video 1

203k Info Video 2


Program Bullet Points:

· Purchase a Home and Finance the Repairs Needed.
· Only 3.5% down required from Buyer.
· Seller Can pay Closing Costs & Prepaid expenses. (Up to 6% of the Purchase Price)
· Replace an old or damaged roof.
· Replace old or damaged Heat & AC units.
· Purchase & Install New Appliances. (Refrigerator, Stove, Dish Washer, etc.)
· Make repairs to a property in disrepair due to a foreclosure Situation.
· Make upgrades - Update Kitchens and Bathrooms, Replace & Change Flooring, Paint Interior or Exterior, etc…...

Don't Forget!!! I work weekends!!! Call me any time for a pre-qual, or questions.
Have a Great and Profitable Weekend.

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Assistant Vice President
American Mortgage
Cell - 386-846-6686
Office - 386-756-8228
Fax - 386-756-8108
Website - http://www.americanmortgagenow.com/

Oh, by the way, If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

Lift off of American and Discovery

With the launch of one of America’s greatest achievements yesterday, the space shuttle discovery, I thought I would take a moment to give you some interesting facts about the shuttle and introduce you to something as American as apple pie.

American Mortgage is the premier mortgage broker in the state of Florida. After a lot of research and consideration, I am proud to say that I have affiliated myself with this company and look forward to a long partnership with them. For over 25 years American Mortgage has been providing mortgage assistance to Florida communities. We work with our clients to create a desirable mortgage that will best fit their needs and goals. I can provide an affordable Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA, USDA, or FHA mortgage, for a purchase or refinance; we shop lenders to providethe lowest rates available. We also provide the fastest turn times and can close in less than 30 days. As a locally owned mortgage broker, we understand things the big banks don't and realize that only two things matter.

• First and foremost, that we provide impeccable service and are accountable to every need and request of our mortgage customers.
• Second, that we make sure our customers receive the lowest possible mortgage interest rate and fee structure that a mortgage company can provide.

Give me a call anytime if you or someone you know is buying or refinancing a home; remember I work weekends. Greg Novak 386-846-6686. For more info, check out our website. www.AmericanMortgageNow.com

On to the cool stuff! Here are some interesting Facts about the Space Shuttle Discovery.

NASA's most heavily travelled spacecraft, the shuttle Discovery, has had a storied 27-year career that has broken ground in many ways.

Here are some facts about the shuttle and some of its most memorable moments.

• First mission, STS-41D, was on August 30, 1984.
• Has completed 38 missions, and logged more than 5600 trips around Earth.
• Traveled a total of 230,003,477km so far, will add 7.2 million km on this final trip.
• Spent 352 days in space until now, for a total of 363 days by the end of this mission.
• Carried the Hubble space telescope into orbit in April, 1990.
  Has twice been the first shuttle to return to orbit after a major disaster: in 1988 after Challenger exploded in 1986; and again in 2005 after Columbia disintegrated in 2003.
• Is the oldest shuttle in the three-member fleet, due to the demise of Columbia and Challenger which were older.
• Was the first shuttle to be piloted by a woman, Eileen Collins in 1995.
• First shuttle to be commanded by a woman, also Collins, in 1999.
• Carried the first African-American astronaut spacewalker, Bernard Harris in 1995.
• Transported first sitting member of Congress in space, senator Jake Garn in 1985.
• Delivered part of Japan's Kibo laboratory to the ISS in 2008.
• Was the first shuttle to rendez-vous with the Russian Mir Space Station 1995.
• Has received 99 upgrades.
• By the end of this mission, will have transported 180 people in total.

The information about the shuttle was found on Nasa.gov.

Here are a couple of links to videos about the space shuttle and Discovery’s final launch.

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/when-we-left-earth-the-shuttle.html
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4555653/discoverys-final-liftoff

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
NMLS # 329079
Assistant Vice President
American Mortgage
Cell- 386-846-6686 Office - 386-756-8228
Website - http://www.americanmortgagenow.com/

Oh, by the way,If you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

FLORIDA- American Mortgage Loan Services, Inc. - NMLS Company ID 330596

Doing The Remarkable

So, we are almost through the first month of the New Year. How are your goals / resolutions coming along?

This week’s blog is designed to help you get on track with you goals for this year and help you get past all of the negativity out there. With the economy the way it is and everything going on in the world, you have to work hard to not get caught up in negative thinking and negative news.

Below is a letter written by the late great Jim Rohn, that I found on http://talentdevelop.com. I hope you enjoy. I also put a you tube link here with a motivational excerpt of Jim Rohn.
“The Day That Turns Your Life Around”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoW_jAzZKcs&feature=related Really good stuff.

Enjoy, and remember I am never too busy for your mortgage referrals.

Greg Novak 386-846-6686

Doing the Remarkable

by Jim Rohn

When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question: what can you do, starting today, that will make a difference?

What can you do during economic chaos? What can you do when everything has gone wrong?

What can you do when you've run out of money, when you don't feel well and it's all gone sour?

What can you do?

Let me give you the broad answer first.

You can do the most remarkable things, no matter what happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite the most impossible or disastrous circumstances.

Here is why humans can do remarkable things: because they are remarkable.

Humans are different than any other creation.

When a dog starts with weeds, he winds up with weeds. And the reason is because he's a dog.

But that's not true with human beings. Humans can turn weeds into gardens.

Humans can turn nothing into something, pennies into fortune, and disaster into success.

And the reason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable.

Try reaching down inside of yourself; you'll come up with some more of those remarkable human gifts.

They're there, waiting to be discovered and employed.

With those gifts, you can change anything for yourself that you wish to change. And I challenge you to do that because you can change.

If you don't like how something is going for you, change it. If something isn't enough, change it. If something doesn't suit you; change it.

If something doesn't please you, change it.

You don't ever have to be the same after today. If you don't like your present address change it — you're not a tree!

If there is one thing to get excited about, it's your ability to make yourself do the necessary things, to get a desired result, to turn the negative into success.

That's true excitement.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Copyright © 2000 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.
You can visit www.jimrohn.com to review and purchase his motivational material.

Click here for a Jim Rohn Youtube clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoW_jAzZKcs&feature=related


www.MyNationwideLender.com
Daytona Beach Mortgage, FHA, VA, HOMEPATH

Part 3 - Steps to Personal Transformation

Step 3 – Abundance

Do you have an abundance mentality? Dr. Wayne Dyer writes “It is a simple procedure to calculate the number of seeds in an apple. But who among us can ever say how many apples are in a seed? The reason that no one can say how many apples are in a seed is that the answer is infinite. Endless! That is what the abundance principle is all about: endlessness.”

These concepts of infinity, endlessness, and abundance to us a humans are difficult concepts to understand. We as human beings have a beginning and an end in our life cycle, therefore everything we think about we try to put boundaries or limits on. We try to compartmentalize or box thoughts, concepts, and even money into something with limits, when in fact most things do not have limits.

Dr. Dwyer states “it is difficult to imagine that the universe has any boundaries, or that it simply ends someplace. If it does, what’s at the end? And so I suggest there is no end to the universe, and there is not end to what you can have for yourself when this principle is part of your life.”

In my opinion this could be the most important part of personal transformation, realizing that there are no limits to what you can obtain, and abundance really is an obtainable thing.

In another book entitled The Top Ten Distinctions Between Millionaires and the Middle Class, author Keith Smith breaks down the goals of our social economic classes of people and asserts that the primary goal for the poor is survival, the primary goal for the middle-class is comfort, and the primary goal for the rich is abundance. He also believes that the reason the poor seek to survive and the middle class seeks to be comfortable is that they have a scarcity mentality. They believe that there is not enough money for everyone to have more than enough. The rich on the other hand know the truth, and that is that there is enough money for everyone for have more than enough, which is an abundance mentality.

So how do we transcend a scarcity mentality? Dr. Dwyer states “The first step toward discarding a scarcity mentality involves giving thanks for everything that you are and everything that you have.” You have to be thankful for what you have regardless of how much or little, before you can have and appreciate more.

The second principle we need to understand when it come to abundance is that abundance does not start and end with money. Dr. Dwyer states, “abundance is not something that we acquire. It is something we tune into. This thought is paramount to making the abundance principle function in our lives. Keep in mind that there is an infinite supply of energy in the universe, and that everything, including you very for and all of your accumulations, is essentially energy.”

How do you accumulate an abundance of wealth? Well you first have to accumulate and abundance of energy. What is energy? Energy is fuel.

First you must determine what is your fuel that you will need an abundance of in order to create an abundance of wealth. What is your path to wealth? What type of fuel do you need to propel yourself down that path, and how much do you need to have an abundance.

When you answer these questions, you will be able to better see what abundance means to you and how you can obtain it.

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg NovakMBA
Office - 386-756-8228
Cell - 386-846-6686
Fax - 386-756-8108
Web site - www.MyNationwideLender.com

Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

Part 2 - Steps to Personal Transformation

Step 2 – Thought

Wayne Dyer says “Thought is much more than something you do. It is in fact what you, and all the rest of us, are as well. Thought constitutes our entire being except for the portion of us that is form, or the packaging that carries around our minds… Here is a mini-lesson in what thought is. Your desire to improve your life is really your thought to improve your life. Your will to live is really your thought to live. Your attitudes about your entire life are really your thoughts on these matters… Your determination to succeed is nothing more than your thought to do so. The idea of success is really the thought of success.”

Why is “Thought” such an important part of personal transformation? Have you ever heard of Stinking Thinking, and the opposite, positive thinking.

Your thoughts and what you believe about yourself are probably the most important key to personal transformation. Henry Ford said “Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t, your right.” Your thoughts really do determine who you are. If you read this and think to yourself, “this personal growth and positive thinking is just a bunch of garbage, my thoughts are not going to make me wealthy or a better person, only my actions and abilities are going to do that.” Well where do you think your actions come from? Your thoughts. You do not just get up and start doing something, you have to think about it first and then you do.

Now positive thinking is not going to give you the ability to do everything to want to do, but it will help you do everything better than negative thinking will. Our physical being does limit us in certain ways. Positive thinking is not going to make 6 foot 5 NFL offensive lineman win the Kentucky Derby as a horse jockey. But with the right positive thinking and research, that offensive lineman might be able to buy a horse, hire a tiny jockey, and win the Kentucky Derby as an owner.

The biggest problem people have today in my opinion is a lack of perspective. That lack of perspective leads to negative thinking. People complain all the time about their jobs and how much they hate going to work. it makes me want to tell them to be grateful that you even have a job at all. There are probably a million people who are out of work and would love to have your job or any job at all. If you just sent half the time thinking about the positive things at your job, or ways to make your job more enjoyable, you would enjoy your job more, and with a positive attitude an progressive thinking, you might even get promotions and raises. Very few people who constantly complain about their job ever get raises and promotions. People complain when they are at McDonalds and there fries are not piping hot and ready the second they place the order. What about the people and children in third world countries who have to wait days before their next cold scrap of a meal. And so on and so on and so on. There are thousands of examples of like these. I don’t know if it is the way I was raised, my faith, the type of books I have ready, or the seminars and tapes I have listened to that help me to have perspective on the important things in life, but perspective and a positive attitude are two of the things that I have struggled with the least in my life.

If you want to transform yourself you must first start with your thinking. No matter what you want to change, whether it is your income and wealth, or your health, or your relationships, or anything, you must start with your thoughts.

To finish up here are 4 points from Wayne Dyer’s book to help thoughts become positive reality.

1. “Your actions come from your images. All of our behavior results from the thoughts that preceded it. If you visualize yourself as incompetent in a given area, and you continuously reinforce this with a mental picture, eventually you will act out this scenario… Apply this notion of thoughts as things to the acquisition of wealth. If you picture yourself acquiring abundance, if you keep this vision in your mind regardless of the obstacles you encounter, and if you absolutely see it for yourself, then you will act on this image. You will allow this picture to be the dominant image in your mental world. You will make fifteen calls a day instead of three or four. You will find yourself saving part of your income thereby paying yourself first, a crucial step in the acquisition of wealth.”
   
2. “Tell yourself that everything you visualize is already here. Remember what Einstein taught us about time! Time does not exist in the linear world-it is man’s invention because of his limited vision and his need to compartmentalize everything.” If there is something you want, you need to see it in your mind as already being yours, that will help you obtain it.
   
3. “Be willing. Forget about the word ‘determination’! Forget about perseverance! Forget about personal drive! These are not concepts that will help you understand the visualization process and bring it into your life. Over and over I hear, ‘I gave it my best shot.’ ‘I really tried hard, and it still did not work out.’ ‘I persevered for months, and I still did not get what I wanted.’ The key word that is missing from these statements is willing. In order to make a visualization a reality in the world of form, you must be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.” Also we have to remember that most of the time it is a matter of being willingto have patients and allow for time. In our fast food, gotta have it now, environment, we forget that we have to be willing to pay the dues, put in the time, and put forth the EXTRA effort. Millionaires do not make their money overnight. Most millionaires worked 30 to 40 years before they achieved that status.
   
4. “Realize there is no such thing as failure. Keep this in mind and you will achieve all that you conceive in your mind. You never fail, you simply produce results. Always results. If you make an attempt to hit a golf ball one hundred yards and it dribbles off to the right, you have not failed. You have produced a result. Your concept of failure comes from believing someone else’s opinion about how you could have hit the golf ball. But in our reality, you could not have hit the golf ball any other way than how you hit it. You have produced a result. Then you either berate yourself, or you place the ball back up on the tee and proceed from the result you produced. If you do this two hundred times, you still have not failed, you simply have produced two hundred results.” Zig Ziglar says “Failure is an event, it is not a person, yesterday really did end last night, and today is a brand new day.”

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
Office - 386-756-8228
Cell - 386-846-6686
Fax - 386-756-8108
Web site - www.MyNationwideLender.com

Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

Part 1 - Steps to Personal Transformation

Step 1 – Transformation

To start this series on personal transformation, I feel it is necessary to take a close look at the word transformation so that we can better understand the rest of the series, and not only the points and purpose of personal transformation, but also how we can transform ourselves, and WHY we might want to.

A lot of people might read the first part of this and think to themselves that they like who they are and that they do not need to change, and who does this guy think he is telling me that I need to make some personal changes. First let me state that I am not talking about changing, or that you need to be a different person, I am talking about transforming, and that is a total different thing. I am married, and for those of you who are or were ever in a relationship and have tried to CHANGE your significant other, you know that does not typically work to well. So please understand I am not trying to change you, this series is more about growth than change.

Let’s take a look at the word transformation.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Transform as the following 1 a : to change in composition or structure b : to change the outward form or appearance of c : to change in character or condition.

Wayne Dyer defines transformation as “The ability and willingness to live beyond your form”

I am going to copy an excerpt from Wayne Dyer’s book You’ll See It When You Believe It, because I really like how he describes what transformation truly is.
“I feel as if I have gone through a gate which will not allow me to go back to the place where I used to live. To me, going through the gate symbolizes transformation. But what do I mean by that?
Start with the word “form,” the center of transformation. It is a term that describes the physical you. It includes all of the physiological properties that you have come to associate with the human being that is you… Now consider the prefix ‘trans,’ which means ‘beyond,’ ‘above,’ or in literal terms, ‘over.’ When we place that prefix in front of ‘from’ we get ‘transform.’ We now add the suffix ‘ation,’ which means ‘action’ or ‘result,’ and we have the word ‘transformation.’ To me this word means the result or action of going beyond one’s form...

The ultimate in becoming a transformed person is seeing ourselves as unlimited by our form.
When you live exclusively in form, you live in a world of limitation. Think about all of the limits that are placed on your form. Limits are boundaries that dictate things. You can only lift so much weight. You can only run so fast… But limits are all in the dimension of form.
Now consider the part of you without physical limits, the dimension of thought. There are no limits to your ability to think. You can imagine yourself doing anything… You can be anything, go anywhere, experience all that you want in this dimension of thought, exclusive of form…
The emphasis in our culture is on the value of the external, the physical appearance. I am suggesting that the emphasis be shifted to a concern for the formless self, being ever mindful that the form houses the real you.”

I am a father of a 5 year old and a 3 year old. I sometimes watch my kids playing, and it seems like they are not bound by their physical form, or their surroundings in anyway. They play imaginary games, and build an imaginary pirate ship and put on paper hats, and they are pirates. When I watch and listen to them play, they are NOT playing pirate, for that time, they ARE actually pirates.

Do you remember when you were young, and some of the games you would play using your imagination? Do you remember not just playing in, but actually being in that imaginary world.
What happened? Why as adults are we unable to use our minds like that anymore, why do we feel that it is unproductive, or a waste of time, or bad to be a dreamer.
Did you know that the most successful people in this world are dreamers, and have the ability to use their imagination, and then let that imagination control their “form” being. Unfortunately, for the majority of adults, they allow their physical form and the objects around them dictate their limits instead of their inner being and their minds.
If you are unhappy with the way you life has gone, or what you have done with yourself after middle school, it is most likely not a matter of physical limitation, but that of mental limitation. If you are not happy with your job, or your income, or your life, it is most likely a result of simply forgetting how to go past physical form, and not using your thoughts in a more productive way. I understand times are tough and people are losing their jobs, and often that has nothing to do with being able to use your imagination or not. However, tough economic times don’t necessarily mean that you have to lose everything or that you cannot be successful. Some of the most wealthy and successful people made their fortunes during the worst economic times in history. They did it because they did not allow their surroundings and the outside forces dictate their thoughts and attitudes.

In closing, the first step to personal transformation, is TRANSFORMATION. Once again, transformation is the result or action of going beyond one’s form. You have to throw out what you think you know about yourself, or what you think defines you as a person, and reinvent yourself mentally, and then take that mental image and break the barriers of FORM to make it a reality in the physical.
Your mother was right, you can be anything you want, and accomplish anything you desire, if you just put your mind to it.

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
Branch Manager
Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company
Office - 386-756-8228 Cell - 386-846-6686 Fax - 386-756-8108
E-mail - Greg.Novak@ENMCdirect.com
Web site - http://www.mynationwidelender.com/

Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

Intro - Steps to Personal Transformation

I recently finished a series on the 7 Qualities of a successful person.

I have been searching for a new topic for my next blog series, and I came across a story that really impacted me and made me think about my business and things I can do to improve my service.

I copied the story below, and in the story, the subject references a book by Wayne Dyer called “You’ll see it when you Believe it, The way to your personal Transformation”.

As you know, I try to focus my content on positive / personal growth information, and after reading the first part of this book, I feel that it will be a great base for my next series.

Please read the story below as an introduction to my new series, I promise it will impact your day.


Intro- Steps to Personal Transformation

No one can make you serve customers well....that's because great service is a choice. Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point.

He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey.

He handed my friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.' Taken aback, Harvey read the card… It said: Wally's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.

This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.' My friend said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.' Wally smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice...' Almost stuttering, Harvey said, 'I'll take a Diet Coke.'

Handing him his drink, Wally said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.'

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

'Tell me, Wally,' my amazed friend asked the driver, 'have you always served customers like this?'

Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No, not always… In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day.

He had just written a book called - You'll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. *Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

'That hit me right between the eyes,' said Wally. 'Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that has paid off for you,' Harvey said.

'It sure has,' Wally replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today.. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.'

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting. Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

How about us? Smile, and the whole world smiles with you... The ball is in our hands! A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.. let us do good to all people.

Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar. SORROW looks back, WORRY looks around, and FAITH looks UP!!! "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."


It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
Branch Manager
Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company
Office - 386-756-8228
Cell - 386-846-6686
Fax - 386-756-8108
Web site - http://www.mynationwidelender.com/

Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

Part 7 – The 7 Qualities of a Successful Person

7. Generosity / Giving Back

Not all successful people are generous, but the all of the happy ones are! Most successful people believe in the law of sowing and reaping. They see money and their time as a seed. They know if they are generous with both they will receive more in return.

The individuals who give a minimum of 10% to worthwhile charities, causes, or churches and volunteer their time in community organizations will be the ones who experience an over abundance in their businesses and personal lives, often from unexpected sources.

This is a fundamental law of finance that has been proven time after time. These are the people who attract clients to them instead of always "marketing to clients" and trying to chase clients down.

One important point to make is that successful people enjoy giving for the sake of giving and the good it does, they do not give so that they will receive something in return. They give for the purpose of giving and helping, and nothing more. People who give to get something in return usually don’t become successful because they are not really giving. We all know those people who have a “what’s in it for me” attitude. They never do anything for anyone unless they are getting something in return. Not many of those folks are truly successful and none of them are happy.

Another thing successful people do whenever possible is to give anonymously. They give anonymously because once again they are not giving to get something in return, and if you give to get recognition or a big pat on the back, then you are missing the true joy of giving unconditionally. To me there are very few feelings that match the feeling I get when I do something for someone or buy something for someone and they have no idea who blessed them with this act of kindness.

Another important point is that it is not the amount of the gift that matters. It is the intention of the giver. Millionaires can give large sums of monies to charities and they can make a big difference. Most likely if you are like me, stroking a check for $100,000 is not a possibility, even $100 right now is pushing it. But, you can make just as big of a differnce to one person at a time; simply give your restaurant sever an extra $10 or $20 on their tip, or if the person next to you at the grocery store only has a couple of items in their basket, pay for them. You never know how much an extra $10 or $20 might mean to someone else. It could be milk, bread, and Peanut butter for their hungry kids at home, or pack of diapers, or by paying for the elderly woman’s groceries, now she can afford to go and buy her prescription medicine this week. Little things that we may take for granted may be a huge deal to someone else.

One last point I want to make is that successful people are not only generous with their money, but they are also generous with their time and abilities. One of the best ways to give to someone else is to volunteer your time or put your skills to work for someone in need. I know a nurse who volunteers one day a month at a free clinic treating patients, administering shots, and bandaging wounds. Or, if you are an accountant, maybe prepare some tax returns at no cost to someone struggling to get by. Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, or help your elderly neighbor maintain their home by cutting their grass for them for free so they do not have to pay someone. There are things all around that you can do to help someone in need.

To end this series I have a few quotes for you on giving and success.

“If you give it out in slices, it will come back to you in loaves” Brian Buffini

“Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.” Brain Tracy

“You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Zig Ziglar

“I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can't truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.” Zig Ziglar

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." Mario Andretti - race car driver

“Success is not so much what we have as it is what we are.” The Late, Great, Jim Rohn


It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
Branch Manager
Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company
Office - 386-756-8228
Cell - 386-846-6686
Fax - 386-756-8108
Web site - www.MyNationwideLender.com

Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

Part 6 – The 7 Qualities of a Successful Person

6. Self Confidence. Otherwise known as "The Right Attitude" in every aspect of your business and personal life. This is probably the most important quality and is critical for long term success. Self confidence is the cornerstone of all the Qualities of a successful person. If you do not believe in yourself and truly know that you can accomplish the task at hand, then you will never go far.


Evidence of a truly positive and self-confident person is seen in personal responsibility. Self-confident individuals do not blame other people or circumstances for misfortune or poor results. Self-confident and positive people are proactive, they don´t blame the economy, bad luck, a bad relationship, the weather, "unlucky" situations, the market, or their employees. Proactive/Self-confident people figure out how they can personally change, instead of focusing their energy on where others should change.


Here are a few steps to build more self confidence that I found on wikihow.com.
1. Recognize your insecurities. What makes you feel bad about yourself? This could be anything from physical appearance to past regrets, or whatever makes you feel unworthy, ashamed, or inferior. Identify these things and take steps to fix them, or make a choice to love you for who you are. There are a lot more screwed up people out there than you.
2. Remember that no one is perfect. Even the most confident people have insecurities. Don’t make this false belief that self confident people are perfect be a stumbling block for your own self confidence. You will always have insecurities, and some of them you will never be able to change, to key is to own them and not let them run your life.
3. Identify your successes. Everyone is good at something, so discover the things that you excel in. Take pride in those things, give yourself credit for your successes.
4. Be thankful for what you have. Much of the time a lack of self-confidence is rooted in the feeling that you are not keeping up with the Jones’s. Truly successful people do not flaunt what they have, so if you feeling insecure because you do not have the same toys, cars, homes, etc as someone else, you may want to be thankful you do not those things because that other person may be in debt up to their eyeballs in order to pay for them. Real successful people, not the people you see on tv, live in modest homes, wear modest clothing, purchase pre-owned cars, and do not waste money on flashy stuff.
5. Be Positive, even if you don’t fell like it. Avoid self-pity, or the pity and sympathy of others. Don’t let other people make you feel bad about yourself. If you think negatively about yourself, other will too. Instead speak positively about your-self, your future, and about your achievements.
6. Accept compliments!!!!!!! An insecure person rarely accepts accomplishments well. If someone compliments your outfit, don’t say, “oh, this old thing”, or “yeah, right I hate the way it looks on me” or just shrug it off. Take it to heart and respond with a confident THANK YOU and a smile. Do the same thing for any sincere compliment you receive.
7. Fake it. You have all hear the term “Fake it till you make it”. If you don’t feel self confident, Fake it, and eventually you will.
8. Stick to your Principles. You have all heard the old saying, “if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything” Stand up for what you believe in. Every time you take a stand for something you think is right, you boost confidence in yourself.
9. Help others. Some people believe in karma, some believe in reciprocity, or sewing and reaping. Whatever you call it, when you help others, two things will happen, first, you will feel better about yourself, and second good things will come back around your way. Both of which will boost your confidence.

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
Branch Manager
Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company
Office - 386-756-8228
Cell - 386-846-6686
Fax - 386-756-8108
Web site - http://www.mynationwidelender.com/


Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.


Here is a list of Mortgage Loans we are able to close.

• Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• Conventional Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• VA Mortgage loans
• FHA Mortgage loans
• FHA 203k Rehab Mortgages
• USDA & Rural Development Mortgage Loans
• First Time Homebuyer Mortgages
• Reverse Mortgages, for seniors 62 and older

Our Main area's of service include the Greater Daytona Beach Area, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida, Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan(MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA) , Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

Part 5 - The 7 Qualities of a Successful Person

5. “Servant Leadership, is a philosophy and practice of leadership, coined and defined by Robert Greenleaf and supported by many leadership and management writers such as …, Stephen Covey, Peter Block, …, Larry Spears, Margaret Wheatley, …, Ken Jennings and others. Servant-leaders achieve results for their organizations by giving priority attention to the needs of their colleagues and those they serve. Servant-leaders are often seen as humble stewards of their organization's resources (human, financial and physical).” (Wikipedia)


The Greenleaf center suggests that a servant leader has the following 10 characteristics.


A servant-leader:
• Listens
• Uses power ethically, with persuasion as the preferred mode
• Seeks consensus in group decisions
• Practices foresight
• Uses language in a way that avoids "closed verbal worlds"
• Practices the art of withdrawal
• Practices acceptance and empathy
• Is a conceptualizer
• Nurtures community
• Chooses to lead


“A servant leader has the ability to make decisions, regardless of popular opinion in accordance with your business vision, while inspiring those around you to follow through on the direction you set in motion. Some call this "Delegation" I prefer to call it "Inspiration". Think about it. Do you like to be Delegated to, or Inspired? The leaders who are able to make sound decisions at rapid speed are those who know what the "end result looks like". They have seen the finish line, and know the excitement of crossing it first. Servant leaders are those who come up beside their team members where ever they are, teach those people how they can cross the finish line and experience the same joy and excitement as if they had crossed the finish line themselves.” Deborah Cole Micek


In order to be a servant leader, one needs the following qualities: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, growth and building community.

One last thing, a servant leader is not just a boss or someone in charge of others. Servant leaders are everyone, parents, friends, even sales people. Most of you who are reading this are in some forms of a sales profession, take the information provided here and apply it to your business, and you will find your production increase significantly.

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
Branch Manager
Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company
Office - 386-756-8228
Cell - 386-846-6686
Fax - 386-756-8108
Web site - http://www.mynationwidelender.com/


Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.


Here is a list of Mortgage Loans we are able to close.

• Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• Conventional Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• VA Mortgage loans
• FHA Mortgage loans
• FHA 203k Rehab Mortgages
• USDA & Rural Development Mortgage Loans
• First Time Homebuyer Mortgages
• Reverse Mortgages, for seniors 62 and older

Our Main area's of service include the Greater Daytona Beach Area, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida, Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan(MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA) , Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

Part 4 – The 7 Qualities of a Successful Person!!!

4. Courage.
Because I have taken a few weeks off from my weekly blog, I am going to remind you of the first three qualities of a successful person. 1. Ambition, 2. Discipline, 3. High Standard for Quality. Other than the fact that it has been a little while since I started this series, another reason I recapped those qualities is because this week’s quality is a root of all seven qualities.

Webster’s dictionary defines courage as: a mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

A successful person first and foremost has COURAGE, not just physical courage, but also moral courage to stand up for what they believe in, and what is right. Often a successful person will have to stand alone in order to do what is right, and it takes a massive amount of courage to do this.

Often successful people are faced with the opportunity to take risks. When you are Optimistic enough to take risks that others are unwilling to take, this will set you up for huge returns and success. However, courage is not just about taking a risk that could pay off big in the end, courage may also be about saying no to a risk that is too great to take even though you are being pushed into it. Successful people tend to ask three questions when analyzing an opportunity with associated risk. 1. What’s the best thing that could happen? 2. What’s the worst thing that could happen? 3. What’s the most likely thing to happen? If you can live with the worst thing that could happen and if the most likely thing to happen will get you closer to your goals, then go for it! The problem with a lot of people, when they take a risk, is that they base their decision on a best case scenario and don’t consider the worst case, or the most likely case, and frequently the most likely thing to happen is something that they cannot live with, or will put them in a worse off position financially.

True courage is pushing forward, even though you may have experienced a setback or a "failure" the last time you tried something new or different.

Having courage is persevering through the tough times. It is looking at the economy we are in today and saying to yourself, I will get through this. Having courage in the face of job loss, or lower income, or fewer sales is to look for the opportunity and to stay positive. Have you lost your job? Well now you have a new job, and that new job, is to find a job. If you are currently searching for a job, you have to treat your job search as if it were a full time job. Get up in the morning as if you had to make it into the office by 8:00, shower, shave, get dressed in business attire. LEAVE THE HOUSE!!! If you have no place to go, or you need to use the computer to search for jobs, take your computer to a place where they have free wifi, or go get a Library card and do your job searching at the library, or go to a career center and research there. The point is to get away from the distractions of TV, house chores, sleep, etc., and get out into the business community. Talk to people everywhere you go, do not be afraid or ashamed to tell everyone you meet that you are looking for a job, you never know who you might meet that just happens to be hiring.

If you are in sales, courage today means getting out there and beating the street for business. For the last number of years if you were in sales, it really did not take much work or courage to make a sale, business would just fall in your lap. That is not the case today. You must get out there, and meet new people, make new contacts, forge new relationships. Did you get the theme in the last sentence? NEW! Courage is having the confidence in yourself to not be afraid of NEW. The key to sales is NEW, and new sounds a lot like change, and most people are afraid to change the way they do things. Let me let you in on a little secret, the old days are gone, and you must change the way you prospect and work for business in order to be successful in the future. New business boils down to first and foremost taking care of current clients, but a very close second is build NEW relationships.

The Quality of courage in a successful person is to believe in yourself and know that the follow quote by Zig Ziglar is true. “You are doing better than good when you clearly understand that failure is an event, not a person; that yesterday ended last night, and today is your brand new day. You are doing better than good when you have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and optimistic about your future. You are doing better than good when you know that success (a win) doesn't make you, and failure (a loss) doesn't break you.” – Zig Ziglar


It is my hope that you find the courage in you to go out and take the necessary steps to make yourself a successful person.

It's a Good Life!!!
Greg Novak MBA
Branch Manager
Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Company
Office - 386-756-8228 Cell - 386-846-6686 Fax - 386-756-8108
Web site - http://www.mynationwidelender.com/


Oh, by the way, if you know someone who is thinking about buying or refinancing a home, please give me a call with their name and number, I will be happy to follow up with them for you.

Here is a list of Mortgage Loans we are able to close.

• Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• Conventional Mortgage Loans for new purchase and refinance
• VA Mortgage loans
• FHA Mortgage loans
• FHA 203k Rehab Mortgages
• USDA & Rural Development Mortgage Loans
• First Time Homebuyer Mortgages
• Reverse Mortgages, for seniors 62 and older

Our Main area's of service include the Greater Daytona Beach Area, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida, Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan(MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA) , Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)